Steering column with tilt-adjustable steering wheel

Abstract

A collapsible, energy absorbing steering column having a tilt-adjustable steering wheel thereon includes a blocking member on the tilt-housing supporting the steering wheel which moves from a non-blocking position to a blocking position at the onset of energy absorbing collapse. In the blocking position, the blocking member prevents actuating movement of the tilt-adjust release lever so that the tilt-adjusted position of the steering wheel is captured throughout the energy absorbing event.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
       1. In a collapsible, energy absorbing steering column for an automotive vehicle, said steering column having a first tubular mast jacket and a second tubular mast jacket telescopically overlapping said first tubular mast jacket and an energy absorber in said overlap between said first and said second tubular mast jackets operative during relative telescopic collapse therebetween,   a tilt-housing connected to said second tubular mast jacket for pivotal movement about a transverse axis of said second tubular mast jacket,   a lock shoe pivotally supported on said tilt-housing and resiliently biased to a locked position engaging a pin on said second tubular mast jacket to prevent relative movement between said second tubular mast jacket and said tilt-housing, and   a manual release lever on said tilt-housing engageable on said lock shoe to move said lock shoe from said locked to an unlocked position during movement of said manual release lever from a retracted position to an extended position,   the improvement comprising:   a blocking member,   means on said tilt-housing defining an abutment, and   means mounting said blocking member on said tilt-housing for movement in response to negative acceleration of said vehicle characteristic of energy absorbing collapse of said steering column from a non-blocking position corresponding to normal operation of said steering column to a blocking position between said abutment and said manual release lever to prevent movement of said release lever to said extended position thereof during energy absorbing collapse of said steering column.   
     
     
       2. The steering column recited in claim 1 wherein said blocking member is a metal ball, and   said means mounting said blocking member on said tilt-housing includes a cylindrical bore in said tilt-housing intersecting the path of motion of said release lever and having a closed end defining said non-blocking position of said blocking member.   
     
     
       3. The steering column recited in claim 1 wherein said blocking member is a pawl supported in a cavity in said tilt housing for pivotal movement between said non-blocking position wherein said pawl depends below the path of movement of said manual release lever to said blocking position wherein said pawl is disposed generally in the path of movement of said manual release lever.